Chapter 343: Habitué
n. a frequent of habitual visitor to a place.
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The tale of "Akatsuki and the Fourth Shinobi War" continued on until dawn, Kagome's attention rapt on Gaara through the entirety. Gaara's eyes trailed over Kagome's face, greedily analyzing the flash of emotions that danced across her face as the story unfolded.
At some point in the night Kagome and Gaara took a break to relocate to the living room, settling comfortably into Gaara's fawn colored sofa. As Gaara finished relating the succinct points of the war's conclusion Kagome yawned widely, quickly followed by Gaara's own. Kagome sleepily stretched her legs to rest across Gaara's lap, her eyes drifting closed as rays of sunlight peaked through and kissed her face. Gaara felt his own eyes drift to half-mast, he felt oddly wrung out and drained. More tried and drained than he ever felt after a day in the office.
"Kazekage-sama," called out a familiar monotone. Gaara jolted awake, his eyes jumping to assess his surroundings while charka senses swept out looking for threats. As his mind caught up to where he was and what must have happened his eyes locked on Baki's smirking face. Gaara began to carefully extract himself from under Kagome's legs before pulling Baki into another room.
Gaara seemed disconnected from his work in the Kazekage's office. Baki silently huffed a guffaw, but capably managed to keep Gaara on track, handing him paperwork to review and sign. Despite Gaara's mind obviously on something else, he was the most efficient he had ever been as Kazekage. As the day dwindled in obscurity, a crash drew Kazekage and advisor's attention.
Baki and Gaara exchanged an inquisitive look before Baki withdrew towards the closed door. The jounin had one hand reaching out, ready to address the commotion just as the door slammed open of its own accord. It was only the many years of conditioned training that allowed Baki to speedily retreat without being struck by the swinging door.
"Gaara!" barked the blond woman in the doorway. Her glare sharp and directed at her little brother. Gaara's eyes rounded, a mystified look crossing his face.
"Temari," Gaara called levelly, "to what do we owe this pleasure?"
"Cut the act brother! You have been holding out on me," the glare Temari sent seemed to double in ferocity.
Gaara's head tilted microscopically, silently waiting for her to expound on her statement.
"Why am I just hearing about an important guest in Suna?"
"I wouldn't say that Kagome is a guest of Suna," declared Gaara, a thrum of possibility stirring in his mind.
"Kagome!" screeched Temari, her jaw dropping as she froze in her approach to the Kazekage's desk.
"Isn't that who you were alluding to?" questioned Gaara, eyebrows drawing downward as he exchanged a look with Baki. Baki shrugged noncommittally.
"I…" Temari floundered, eyes overly bright while restlessly pacing the room, "Shikamaru heard rumors of someone coming to Suna, not who it was."
Gaara cringed as he realized his mistake. Kagome had only asked about Temari the other night and Gaara considered why it had taken her so long to ask about his sister. Temari had always been closest to Kagome as the two had been near in age.
"Didn't Kankuro mention her in his weekly report?" cautiously implored Gaara. Gaara's own duty of Kazekage often kept him busy, so it usually fell to Kankuro's charge to keep their older sister informed.
"He's only been talking about a new cactus you found in the desert and that you had found it in…" Temari had a look in her eyes as if she was dropping pieces into place, solving an elaborate jigsaw puzzle.
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